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WE WIN!!!
Jon Burgess“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
The disciples kept asking Jesus to talk plain. No more stories or analogies. So, when Jesus does talk plain they were wishing for a parable again. They will all scatter. He will die. This is a good thing. What? He tells them this so that they will have peace. That doesn't make sense. How does telling bad news bring peace? Jesus is making it clear their source of peace isn't a place or a perfect scenario, it's a person- It's Him! The wording here is "that you may keep on having peace in me". That regardless of what's going on around or falling apart peace is not conditional upon ideal circumstances, peace is dependant upon my connection to Christ. My peace comes from the knowledge that the One I'm facing down my enemies with has already won the battle. That's why Jesus says, "take heart!" This is the word for courage in the face of danger. Courage isn't moving forward in the absence of fear but in the presence of Jesus who has overcome the world! I love this declaration. Before Jesus says "It is finished" from the Cross (John 19:30) or Paul declares "We are more than conquerors" (Romans 8:37) Jesus speaks over every one of our trials, tribulations, and trouble- WE WIN!!!
There's no if's, and's, or but's in Christ's words here. It's a statement of fact. There. Will. Be. Trouble. So why do we still act so surprised when trouble comes? Have we bought into the lie that trouble only befalls bad people? Have we bought into the false gospel that says those with true faith will only receive wonderful news? Yet, there is wonderful news in knowing trouble is coming... I'm standing with the one who sees it coming before I do. Like the Captain of the ship who is prepared for the storm, I didn't even know was on the horizon, Jesus has the helm. He isn't jumping ship and He's asking me to endure the rough waters ahead because He already knows the land we will discover on the other side of this storm.
When Pastor Wayne found out about his cancer he processed through the emotions and fears and arrived at the conclusion that Jesus calls us all to: “Often I want God to do my part and I think I’m responsible for His... which is why we get overwhelmed. God is in control and God is good, so He will use this for his glory!" We are promised trouble will come but we also have this promise to get us through the trouble- "I have overcome the world."
Thank You, Jesus, for healing Pastor Wayne and removing that cancer. Thank You for the hundreds who came forward this past weekend at New Hope Oahu to receive healing in Your Name. Thank You for the victory we have through You Jesus Christ. I pray that the lag time between panic and prayer at the first sign of trouble will continue to decrease as I continually seek my peace in You!
